Caroling in Jackson Square, presented by Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre since 1946, will take place with a different twist this December 20, a la pandemic. On Sunday, December 20, the New Orleans Jazz Museum will welcome Caroling in Jackson Square, 2020 Style! to its grounds at 7 p.m. for one hour of holiday sing-along festivities. Song books and candles will be provided as usual. Masks, safety protocols and mindful distancing will be strictly enforced in accordance with State and City guidelines.
Patio Planters is committed to continuing this revered holiday activity that traditionally attracts more than 8,000 visitors and locals alike to Jackson Square for a moving, interactive community holiday experience.
“In these troubled times with so much uncertainty in our lives, our board felt it was especially important that our annual Caroling event carry on,” said Joey DiFatta, Patio Planters president. “To safeguard our participants, we have been working closely with the Mayor’s Office Re-Opening New Orleans Advisory Task Force and the Project Management Office from Ochsner Health to limit attendance, conduct health screenings and set up pods where carolers will be stationed.”
Attendance on the Museum grounds will be determined by the City of New Orleans outdoor gathering size limit at the time of the event, which includes stage guests and members of Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre, the nonprofit organization which makes the annual Caroling event possible. A lottery will be conducted from with in membership with a maximum of two per household for each member drawn. Participants will enter the New Orleans Jazz Museum Courtyard via the Barracks Street Gate, which opens at 6:30 pm.
For those who are unable to attend the event in person, Caroling in Jackson Square, 2020 Style! will be cohosted for live streaming via https://www.facebook.com/patioplantersvieuxcarre, New Orleans Jazz Museum – Home | Facebook and https://www.facebook.com/offbeatmagazine.
Organizers are encouraging visitors to the city and people throughout the community to join in virtually by downloading Caroling songbooks from patioplanters.net and conducting their own sing-along with Patio Planters via Facebook from balconies, courtyards, homes, restaurants and care facilities. “We will miss the magic of standing side by side with thousands of visitors and locals alike in Jackson Square”, said Caroling chairman Sandra Dartus, “but ultimately, caroling this year will be even bigger, bringing more people together in the spirit of the season.”
This year’s Caroling in Jackson Square, 2020 Style!, presented by Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre, is also supported by a marketing grant from the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Harry Mayronne, Jr., Chris Wecklein and Amy Alvarez will assist various Clergy and Officials in leading the sing-along.
For more information about Caroling in Jackson Square, 2020 Style! and Patio Planters’ new this year Virtual Christmas Home Tour, visit patioplanters.net where there are more details, including safety and attendance protocols for the evening. Inquiries may also be sent to [email protected].
